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Paul Le Mat
Born	(1945-09-22)September 22, 1945 (age 79) Rahway, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1972–present
Spouse	Suzanne de Passe ​ ​ (m. 1978; div. 1994)​
Children	3
Website	www.paullemat.com

Paul Le Mat (born September 22, 1945) is an American actor.^[1] He first came to prominence with his role inAmerican Graffiti (1973); his performance was met with critical acclaim and earned him theGolden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actor.

Le Mat's breakout performance inGeorge Lucas'American Graffiti landed him the lead role in box office hitAloha, Bobby and Rose (1975). He also is known for his work in theJonathan Demme filmsHandle with Care (1977) andMelvin and Howard (1980). He won anotherGolden Globe award for his performance in the TV filmThe Burning Bed (1984) and starred in thecult filmPuppet Master (1989), which spawneda franchise.

Le Mat was born to Matthew (1914–1963) and Elizabeth LeMat (1917–2016). He graduated fromNewport Harbor High School in 1963, and attendedSan Diego City College,Cypress Junior College,Chapman College, and eventually received anAssociate of Arts degree fromLos Angeles Valley College. Le Mat served in theVietnam War with theU.S. Navy on anSP-5B Marlin seaplane in a maritime patrol squadron.

Le Mat starred in thepilot episode ofFirehouse in 1973. In the same year, he appeared inAmerican Graffiti, a coming-of-age film about a group of friends inModesto, California in the early 1960s. He played John Milner - a role that would earn him his first Golden Globe Award. Le Mat also starred in Floyd Mutrux's 1975 crime spree filmAloha, Bobby and Rose, another commercial hit.

In 1977, he starred in Jonathan Demme's acclaimed comedyCitizens Band, later re-titledHandle with Care. Le Mat would reunite with Demme for 1980'sMelvin and Howard, in which he played the title role ofMelvin Dummar. The film was based upon the true story of a gas station attendant who claimed to be an heir of eccentric billionaireHoward Hughes, and it won twoAcademy Awards. Le Mat was nominated for aGolden Globe Award. In 1979, Le Mat reprised his role of John Milner inMore American Graffiti.

In 1982, Le Mat played the characterJohn Dortmunder inJimmy the Kid, oppositeGary Coleman in the role of Jimmy. He also provided the voice of Omar in the American release of the animated filmRock & Rule. Le Mat starred in the made-for-TV movieThe Burning Bed withFarrah Fawcett. The film was based on the true story of an abusive husband who drives his wife to drastic measures with his aggressive ways. Le Mat was awarded the second Golden Globe Award of his career for his role in the film. He starred in other television films such asThe Night They Saved Christmas,Into the Homeland andSecret Witness. He appeared in the TV miniseriesOn Wings of Eagles and in the filmPuppet Master.

In the 1990s, Le Mat worked on independent films and TV movies. He played Josiah Peale inLonesome Dove: The Series and in the follow-upLonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years. He had a small role in the 1998 filmAmerican History X. More recently, Le Mat starred in the filmStateside.

Le Mat marriedSuzanne de Passe in 1978.^{[citation needed]} Le Mat and de Passe have since divorced.

• Official website
• Paul Le Mat atIMDb 
• Paul Le Mat at theTCM Movie Database

• 1945 births
• Actors from Union County, New Jersey
• American male film actors
• Best Supporting Actor Golden Globe (television) winners
• Chapman University alumni
• Cypress College alumni
• Living people
• Los Angeles Valley College people
• Male actors from New Jersey
• Military personnel from New Jersey
• New Star of the Year (Actor) Golden Globe winners
• Newport Harbor High School alumni
• People from Rahway, New Jersey
• San Diego City College alumni
• United States Navy personnel of the Vietnam War

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